Battle Against Bald | A Battle Against Hair Loss Through Hair Restoration

Torrance and his three looks!

Well, today I am feeling great about my hair, especially the front portion. There is no doubt that Bosley has re-created a hairline for me. Since we have focused so much on re-creating a hairline, its left the back of my head pretty bald. Obviously, I was super-bald before, so it still feels amazing to be on my way to having a full head of hair again. I believe my next procedure will be concentrated around the back of my head to cover any apparent bald spots. I haven’t been self-conscious about the back or top portion of my head, but I am more aware that you can still see right though to the scalp, especially in comparison to my full hairline.

It’s a great feeling to not have to wear a hat or feel like I have to hide my hair loss. The best part is just seeing it all come together. It's so exciting! I believe that after my next procedure I should have a total of nearly 5,000 grafts, which should hopefully cover my entire head.  I am at around 3,800 grafts so far. The scar is healthy and feels much better now than it did after the second procedure back in July 2007. I definitely see why waiting a good six months benefits you when you go back in for round two or three! You want the head to be fully healed so the doctors can remove as much donor area as possible. I now know what to expect when I am in there, so it’s a breeze. It’s amazing what they can do and its only going to get better. I am shocked at the results thus far—it should be amazing to see what it all looks like a year from now!

Everyone I have talked to thinks my hair appears thicker than before. I used to have very fine hair, so having the donor hair come from the back of my head has made my whole mane stronger and healthier. When I tell new people I meet that I had a hair restoration procedure, they are amazed at the results and think the hairline looks completely natural. Lots of compliments so far! Perhaps the greatest joy is that I can have different hair styles for different occasions. As you can see in the photos below, I tried to give you three different looks: dry (the Kramer look),  slick and wavy.

299 days after two hair restorations

Hello friends! Torrance here, once again, from the trenches of hair restoration, video productions and life in the shoes of a man battling hair loss. I won't apologize for my latency in posting my hair restoration results, as—truth be told—my apologies cease to result in any change of behavior.  I guess all I can do is try my best to share my hair restoration success with you, the readers. With that said, it has now been 299 days since my first Bosley hair restoration, and 132 days since I received my second procedure. As you'll notice in my ear-to-ear-smile picture, I'm happier than ever about my decision to have had my Bosley procedures. There's no question that my hairline has been re-established and I now have more hair than I did less than one year ago.

In short, it's hard for me to believe I have so much hair. It blows me away! Lets revisit an old photo, taken back in April 2007. A lot has changed in less than a year—for starters, life has changed drastically, which correlates perfectly with the fact that I now have more hair. Additionally, my confidence level is at an all-time high, I am more active and—most important—I no longer wear a hat every waking moment. My hair loss used to control my life, but that's no longer the case. If you're new to Battle Against Bald or forget what I looked like before my two Bosley hair restoration procedures, here's a picture taken in April 2007 before I went to Bosley. 

274 days and two hair restoration procedures later

Well friends, I think we all know what I am thankful for this holiday season. Yep, you guess it... new hair. It's amazing to think about everything that has changed this year. But it's not about the hair so much as it's the confidence that it's giving me. I wouldn't consider myself old just yet, but my Bosley transplant has really given me my youth back. 

I'm going to leave you with these most recent pictures of my progress and cut my entry short because I have family coming into town and I need some time to think about how I want to style my hair—it's the first time any of them will be seeing my progress!

Thank you, Bosley, and a Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

Hair restoration results comparison: Nine months after Bosley

Well friends, it has been nearly nine months since I first stepped foot into the Los Angeles-based Bosley hair restoration clinic. Now, approximately 263 days, and two hair restoration procedures later, I have no regrets. It's obvious that I have significantly more hair, and for those of you who personally know me, it is also obvious that I have more confidence than ever. Actually, that's a bit of an overstatement as I exuded the utmost confidence before hair loss when I was in my 20s.  Nonetheless, it's great to have my pre-male pattern baldness confidence back. 

Here's a hair restoration results comparison; the left image was taken before Bosley and the image to the right was taken last week,  nine months after my first and four months after my second Bosley hair restoration. 

263 days after Bosley hair restoration procedure

263 days after Bosley hair restoration procedure 
 

Hi friends, I know it has been a while (over a month in fact) since my last Bosley hair restoration results update and, to be completely honest, I don't feel too bad about it. Why? Mostly because I believe the suspense has many of my regular readers excited to see how my hair looks now, nearly nine months after my first Bosley hair restoration and four months after my second. That said, I think you will all agree that I DO have a lot more hair than I did nine nine months ago.

Thus far, my Bosley hair restoration surgeon has concentrated on the front of my head to re-establish my natural hair line.  In my opinion Bosley's goals have been accomplished. It's crazy to think about what I am going to look like after my third Bosley procedure. However, as Bosley recommends, I'll wait until 2008 to receive my third restoration so the results from my first and second procedure can be recognized. Then, after my third procedure, I will decide whether or not I will go on Propecia (the hair loss drug). 

263 days after Bosley hair restoration procedure 
 

As of late, I've been so satisfied with the results of my Bosley hair restorations and am feeling more confident at work and play. I don’t shy away from people as much as I used to and it feels so great to be able to look at myself in the mirror and feel good about the person staring back.  Still, I can’t wait for the hairs to start growing from the second procedure.

Stay tuned for detailed comparisons next week.

Bosley scar 228 days after hair restoration

  Bosley scar 228 days after hair restoration 

   

A lot of readers ask about the Bosley hair restoration scar. Their concerns relate to the scars visibility and sensitivity in the donor area over time, all of which are valid concerns. Let me calm your fears by assuring you that the scar is not bad. Yes, when you cut your hair really short after a hair restoration the donor area is noticeable, but at a reasonable length the scar's virtually invisible.  With that, I'm told the appearance of the scar will dissipate over time, but I'm not too worried about it right now. After all, I went to Bosley so I could have more hair and show it off, not shave my head so I can have a full head of fuzz.

My only gripe about the scar is that I still feel it with my fingers and it's still a little numb. It takes some time for the nerve endings to reconnect and restore the natural feeling. However, it doesn’t bother me nor does it give me any discomfort. I know the donor areas natural feeling will be restored before too long, so I'm not worried.

If you have any specific hair restoration scar questions please let me know.

Best,
Torrance

226 days after Bosley hair restoration

  226 days after Bosley hair restoration 

Well friends, I must apologize for yet another hair restoration results hiatus. However, this time I have a good excuse - my camera along with a number of other valuable belongings were taken during a robbery. Needless to say, it has been a stressful few weeks, but to keep a long and sad story short I'll move right on to the success of my Bosley hair restoration procedures. That being said, luck for me my transplanted hair is permanent and neither thieves nor stress can take that from me.

It has now been just over seven months since my first Bosley hair restoration, and roughly two months since my second procedure. As previously stated, the average hair restoration patient doesn't recognize real results until 3-5 months after the procedure. So, I'll be waiting in angst for the next month or so. From the side angle you really see where my Bosley surgeon restored my natural hairline in the first hair restoration. Now I wait for the filling to grow in—stay tuned.

-Torrance

Hair restoration results seven months after Bosley

Well friends, it has been just over seven months since my first hair restoration procedure and I think it's safe to say that I DO have more hair. Yes, that's right, 215 days and two hair restorations procedures later I officially have more hair. A lot of people ask me if I it has been worth it and, put simply, YES, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. In fact, as discussed in my last hair restoration results entry, I am anticipating a third and final procedure sometime in mid-2008.

If I had it my way I'd go in for my third procedure tomorrow, but the doctors at Bosley know best and tell me I'm not ready. I guess I have to wait until the results of my first two hair restorations are realized, which won't be for another five months or so. In the mean time the waiting game continues.

There's no question that there's a big difference between what my head looked like seven months ago and what it looks like now. See for yourself and stay tuned, as there is more to come later this week.

Here's a little hair restoration comparison to tide you over; the left image was taken before hair restoration and the one to right was taken 199 days after hair restoration.

199 days after Bosley hair restoration

199 days after Bosley hair restoration 
 

It's official, I HAVE a lot more hair than I did seven months ago. It has now been almost 200 days since my first Bosley hair restoration procedure, and just over a month since my second hair restoration. It's funny to think that I am already happy with my hair restoration result and I have yet to see significant hair growth from my second procedure. To be honest, I can't believe there is more hair to come, but, of course, I will take it anyways.

I understand that my hair will never be as full as it was when I was in my 20s, but I have hair and for that I am thankful. Furthermore, I am beginning to think about my third procedure. Yes... you heard right, I am considering a third Bosley hair restoration procedure. I know, I know, it's crazy right? But I still have some donor area left and want to take advantage of it to maximize my hair restoration results.  However, I think I will wait until 2008 for the third hair restoration so I can fully recognize the results from my first two hair restorations.

I can’t explain to you how it feels because most people take it for granted. Trust me… if you don’t have hair you have no need to own a comb or a brush. I thought I would never need one again. I know it’s a very small thing but to be able to get ready and style your hair, brush your hair, and leave your home without a hat on and have the same confidence, is truly a beautiful thing. I would tell anyone in my position (going bald or bald) if you can do anything about it, then go for it.

First haircut: 184 days after Bosley hair restoration

This past Friday marked the day I had been anticipating for quite some time; I got a haircut. From my previous photos it probably comes as no surprise that it has been a year since my last haircut. My goal was to wait until six months after my first Bosley hair restoration and that's exactly what I did. With my head fully heeled after my second hair restoration procedure, I decided it was time to show off my newly restored hair line with a new do. Additionally, I had a wedding to go to over the weekend and my "Grizzly" look might have turned too many heads.

In short, I was really nervous about getting my haircut, I guess I had just gotten too used to having long hair on the sides and a hat on top of my head. Needless to say it has been a difficult transition, but one I'm really excited about.  In fact, I couldn't be much happier with my first post-hair restoration hair cut. To my surprise I couldn’t believe what took place before my eyes. I loved it! Wow... unbelievable! My first thought was this is the same haircut I had when I was in my 20s.

It has been hardly three weeks since my second Bosley hair restoration and I already feel like I can do things I haven’t done in years, like spending time to actually style my hair.  Nothing makes me feel better than to look in the mirror and see myself as the age that I am, 33. Thus far, the only difference I've noticed between my first and second hair restorations is that the second hair restoration takes a little longer to fully heal, as I still feel some tenderness.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned as the transplanted hairs from my second procedure should be popping up soon.